DIY or BUY? 7 Super-Luxe Pieces You Could Probably Make Yourself
-
Buy: Isabel Marant Studded Sweat
Oh Izzie. you are making us thoughtfully consider dropping some serious dough on your delightfully French-boho fashion sweatshirt.
Isabel Marant Scotty Studded Sweatshirt, $409 at Barneys.
-
DIY: Isabel Marant Studded Sweat
These push-through studs are supper easy to apply (you really only need your hands, a good sense of direction and maybe a pair of scissors to help with prong pushing). Dot these along a gray sweatshirt you already have (or, well, any other garment that needs some help).
Round Cone DIY Studs in Copper, 12mm, 200 quantity, $5.69 at eBay.
Approximate Total: $5.69
Approximate Savings: $403.31
-
Buy: Vika Gazinskaya Dress
We are obsessed with this up-and-coming Russian designer's designs. Attention to detail will make her a star—but that demi-couture method don't come cheap.
Vika Gazinskaya Oversized Embroidered Cotton and Silk-Blend Dress, $1,282.50 at Net-a-Porter.
-
DIY: Vika Gazinskaya Dress
Vika's beautiful dress features embroidery—mimic the look with silver fabric paint, a dress you already have and love, and a steady hand.
Tulip Metallics Dimensional Fabric Paint 4oz in Silver, $3.47 at Roberts Crafts.
Approximate Total: $3.47
Approximate Savings: $1,279.03
-
Buy: Lanvin Bejeweled Brogues
There's no doubt that Lanvin can make some truly drool-worthy shoes, but we have a better idea...
Lanvin Crystal-Embellished Derby Brogues, $894 at Net-a-Porter.
-
DIY: Lanvin Bejeweled Brogues
Instead of buying the ready-made version, we're gonna go ahead and pick a pair of shoes of our own that needs some sprucing, then add these pretty rhinestones in a nice pattern with some super glue. A fun afternoon!
1. 16SS Swarovski Elements Flatback Rhinestones, 144 for $7.99 at Etsy. 2. Scotch Super Glue Gel Pen, $3.59 at Office Depot.
Approximate Total: $11.58
Approximate Savings: $882.42
-
Buy: Dolce & Gabbana Headband
Yes this headband is killer, but uhhhhh that price—that could realistically net a month of rent and groceries—isn't.
Dolce & Gabbana Embellished Silk and Cotton-Blend Headband, $1,475 at Net-a-Porter.
-
DIY: Dolce & Gabbana Headband
Channel your inner flower girl with this project. Carefully snip silk flowers near their buds (get some of the leaves involved, too.) Glue the lace onto the blank headband, then arrange and glue the flowers on top of that.
1. Darice Plain Satin Headband, $2.99 at Joann. 2. Mini Rose Spray in Red 15" Tall, $4.59 at Afloral. 3. 26" Baby Cosmos Spray in Turquoise, $2.89 at Afloral. 4. Sweetpea Spray in Cream 22" Tall, $1.99 at Afloral. 5. Surebonder Mini-Trigger Glue Gun, $3.61 at Dick Blick. 6. Ivory Crochet Lace Ribbon 1" Wide x 10 Yards, $5.99 at Afloral.
Approximate Total: $22.06
Approximate Savings: $1,452.94
-
Buy: Valentino Headpiece
No doubt this pretty pearl headpiece would elevate you to near-royal status—and you'd have to be basically royal in order to afford it.
Valentino Gold-Tone and Faux Pearl Headpiece, $1,067.50 at Net-a-Porter.
-
DIY: Valentino Headpiece
For our DIY, we're going to skip the nice, neat metal edging and basically just make a nice three-legged string of pearls. Cut enough string to wrap around your head, then bead. Add another middle-part section of stringed beads, taking care to hide the ends and knot securely. Easy!
1. Pearl Beads - 8mm - 12mm, 100 count for $5 at Oriental Trading. 2. 4yd Stretch Cord- Black, $1.99 at Prima Bead.
Approximate Total: $6.99
Approximate Savings: $1,060.51
-
Buy: Saint Laurent Ascot
Uhhh... what?!
Saint Laurent Drape Bow Ascot, $390 at Barneys.
-
DIY: Saint Laurent Ascot
This will really stretch your craft skills probably. Take an inexpensive chiffon scarf, make a bow... then attach it to your collar (or hair?!) with a safety pin—which you hopefully already have but we including sourcing info just in case. Whew, almost worked up a sweat on that one.
1.Chiffon Scarf, $29.50 at Loft.
2. 1.5" Black Safety Pins, 144 quantity, $6.99 at Wardrobe Supplies.Approxmiate Total: $15.48
Approximate Savings: $374.52
-
Buy: Friendship by Dezso
High-fashion friendship bracelets simply must come with high-fashion price tags, you know.
Dezso by Sara Beltran Brights Shell Bracelet, $115 at Net-a-Porter.
-
DIY: Friendship by Dezso
Instead, unpack the bracelet-making skills you remember from summer camp. For a little added bling, we think a pearl left over from the Valentino project would look cooler than the seashell bead.
DMC Embroidery Floss in Colors #356 (1), #741 (2), #798 (3), #3812 (4), #444 (5), $1.25 each at Purl Soho.
Approximate Total: $6.25
Approximate Savings: $108.75
